Hair Dids

That line is so overused, but I don't care.  Sometimes I feel like blog titles are supposed to be overused phrases.

Basically my entire life I have had short hair.  As a little kid, my mom always cut my and my sisters' hair so that it stayed out of our faces and was easy for her to manage.  Even in grade school and high school, I always kept my hair at shoulder length or shorter.  It was for no particular reason -- almost because that's the way I had always had it, so I just kept cutting it.

Then, in September of 2010, shortly after I moved back to DC from New York, I challenged myself to let my hair grow out for a full two years.  I could get the ends trimmed, but no hair cuts that would alter the overall length.  Maybe this sounds simple to you all, but I knew it would be a challenge. 

Here's what we started with:

I actually do like this bob length... (even seeing this sorta makes me want to chop it all off!)

Almost a year into the challenge.  The first part of growing it out (getting everything even and actually seeing a difference) felt like it took forever.  I remember doing my hair for this wedding thinking "Eeek!  It's finally getting longer!!"  (It wasn't really long at all...)
 
Then September 2012 came and I was so excited that I had actually stuck to the challenge, but it felt like I was just getting used to having long hair.  I had only started to experiment with new hairstyles and getting comfortable braiding or curling it (without burning my forehead).  So I added another year on to the long hair challenge and am continuing to try new styles.

This is basically what my hair looks like everyday from about 8 a.m. until about 11:45 a.m. (when I put it into a ponytail -- I can't help it.  I try to keep it down and then I get annoyed and just throw it into a low pony).

(See all those clementines in the background?  Told you I'm eating them all. the. time.)

Here it is in a fish tail braid with a black headband.

When it comes to curling my hair, a curling iron only really works if I use so much hairspray the ozone disappears, so I've started using a round brush and curling it while blow drying. 

This was in a cab en route to a girls' brunch (weirdo picture, sorry -- was making sure I was looking "cool").

Stick straight at M&M's wedding.

Aside: I take these mini-self portraits usually at my desk before I walk into meetings.  The habit has sort of worn off so now I do it other places (ahem, in cabs en route to brunch?!).  Maybe it's nerdy or a little narcissistic, but it works for me, so PDJ (Please Don't Judge).  Maybe that's why it feels kind of weird just putting up pictures of my face up here.  Oh well.  For the record I changed them from being extra large to just large, 'cause, yeah...they are big enough.
 

Anyway, I often look to blogs or Pinterest for hairstyle inspiration or just for fun.  Below are some that I either want to try or wish I could pull off...

Basically any Blake Lively look from Gossip Girl.

I never watched the show before, but now that it is on Netflix, I am O.D.-ing.  No lie.  Despite the show actually being pretty horrible, probably watched 5 episodes last night.  

But her hair is always freakin' awesome.

I really like this hippy headband look.  Wish I had the courage to wear it to something...we'll see.

Will definitely try this cute look.  Wore my hair in the low ponytail/bun version of this for Christmas eve.

So many to try!!  I may just have to attempt the last one this weekend...

Suprisingly Sweet

I can be a bit of a food snob sometimes, but I also can easily fall off the wagon, devouring buffalo chicken fingers or milkshakes without batting an eye.



This usually happens when one of two things is going on:
1) Let just leave it at "alcohol is involved."
2) I'm feeling really broke.

And lately I've been feeling pretty broke.

Now that I am paying more than double my old rent, I need to be much more responsible with money.  Given that I like to be social, but also want to save lots (I mean, I would like to own a house at some point), it is go time to focus on that 50/20/30 budget (plus-- it's a resolution!).

But since I really hate eating crap and with training going on, I decided to come up with a relatively inexpensive way to eat things that are not terrible for you and are still tasty.  Now this isn't fancy or creative, which is sort of a bummer because I do like to cook new things, but for the time being, it's better than Mickey D's or ramen every day.

Breakfast is a bowl of granola cereal with fresh blueberries and a touch of honey (the honey is only because I accidentally bough "Unsweetened" Almond Milk instead of "Original."  The "Original" flavor is plenty sweet.)  I brought all the ingredients into my office and have this when I arrive in the morning.


Lunch is some type of pasta with tomatoes and basil.  Simple, but fresh, filling and tasty!  You can make it the night before, or honestly making it in the morning is so easy and I think tastes better.   You just halve some grape tomatoes, and let them sit in some EVOO, and S+P for a bit (this is actually important). Then, put them in a baking dish, cut some fresh basil on top with a bit more EVOO and then pop them in the oven for 20 minutes until the tomatoes get sweet and delicious.  Make some pasta while this is happening, and...

I ran out of basil for this one, so this is just Italian Seasonings.  I know...it's simple and so easy, but seriously...it is so delicious!

For dinner I usually make rice, some type of beans with either an egg or more of these tomatoes (I'm obsessed) or just throw something else together from what is in the cupboard -- veggie stir fry, a chicken bake or just a bowl of cereal!

It's a little boring, but really pretty tasty.    No complaints here!

Aside: I've been living off of the bagged clementines as snacks.  Whole Food really should hide them.  I am eating like eight a day.

A Running Update (for Margot)

I have just under 7 weeks remaining until the 13.1 and I am getting more and more excited each week.  Especially since I officially registered last week!!

As I've mentioned before, I was very publicly a non-lover of running.  That's probably an understatement, actually.  I always just thought it was boring and painful and I would have much rather played any other sport than run.  I was often found asking friends who ran for exercise, fun or for sport why they ran, or even how.  I just simply did not understand it.

"So let me get this right, you just run for HOURS?!"
"Yeah."
"You're tired and breathing heavy after running for 15 minutes and you just keep running for HOURS?!"
"Yeah."

It's like we were speaking different languages.

But now that I am actually doing this training thing, it really is just like what everyone says.  You just keep running.  And it feels incredible at the end.

The shorter runs are fine, although they can be somewhat tedious.  After the excitement of longer runs, shorter ones seem to be a little "blah," but knowing that I will be able to run farther (further?) because of them, helps keep me motivated.

Here are a few more tips I've tried over the last two weeks.
1) I have a calendar pinned to my desk at work where each day lists the numbers of miles I've run.

Not only does this literally put it in my face, but since my bosses know I am running this race, they ask me about it.

2) I have literally put up index cards with sayings all over my apartment.
"You should be running RIGHT NOW" is next to my alarm clock -- this hasn't worked too well yet, but I still am glad it's there.
"Courage to start.  Strength to Finish." is on my entry way table so I remember to finish well.
Is this cheesy?  Yes.  But I don't care...whatever it takes to finish.


3) Tell everyone what you are doing.
I suppose this is sort of tied into #1 -- public displays of activity -- but really.  The more people that know you are running, the more you feel responsible to keep it up.  In fact, posting about it here helps to keep me focused and on schedule.


I have yet to do a longer run with friends, but it has actually worked out alright.  Most important thing is to just get dressed and go run.  Period.

See the miles logged on Sunday, January 27th?  6.5 miles.  Half way there!!

The End of an Era...Well, that's a bit dramatic, but kind of

So my friends, the time has come.  Actually, it had really been a long time coming.  My college days-Vera Bradley bag has officially kicked the bucket.

This needed to happen approximately 1 year ago, but I waited.  For what, I don't know, but I did and it got me thinking about all the things that bag and I have been through.  And It's a lot.

For the monthly visits from Blacksburg to Philly all throughout college, this dear bag was there.  It has gambled in Las Vegas, sailed in the Caribbean a few times and lived in New York City.  For my visits to friends in Europe while studying abroad, for a romantic Parisian getaway, and for a visit to a dear friend living in London, this bag carried my most treasured items. It has been to Camp nearly 1000000000000+ time.  It carried my best friend's everyday jewels on the day she temporarily replaced them to wear her wedding baubles.  It has been to a Nascar race and to several horse races.  It has been throw in the trunk of too many cars to count, a pillow in the backseat during a road trip and in the back of a pick up truck.   And I'm sure I'm forgetting many, many other times this bag served me well.  

I loved that it was malleable, almost always fit everything I needed and was absolutely a "carry-on" size for airplanes.

But now it's dead.  Holes on the body where the handles attached, worn on the handles where you would carry it on your shoulder, faded and quite sad looking.  

I guess it was inevitable, but it did have a great run.

Better days.

(Well, kind of.  I took this picture from this blog, but this is what Vera looked like in the beginning.  Perhaps I'll post the "after" pictures...but no one likes seeing pictures of the dead.)

In it's place...

I got the large, regular handles in dark green (obviously) but mine has a zipper enclosure.

I also have the small, short handle Bean tote in navy that I had monogrammed and I love it.

I think Beanie will treat me as well as Vera did, if not better.

Biker Babe

Around August of 2012, I asked my mom if I could use her bike for a while.  I no longer would have access to a car and, with DC being only about ten square miles, a bike would be a terrific way to get around town.  Mami agreed and kindly lent me her bike from the mid-1980s, which probably hadn't been used since the late 1980s.  She's a teal Specialized Hard Rock bike with hot pink accents, including water bottle holder, handle bars, and a metal pink basket on the front. 

I took her to Alina's friend's bike shop, Bikenetic, where they gave her a tune up, a cleaning and a few new accessories so she'd be good to go.

Here she is day 2 of my having her.  

Since August, me and this two wheeler have been all over this town (other states even!).  I've taken her on the metro, on the bus, to friend's houses, to go shopping, to bars, and beyond. I've gotten quite comfortable with her too -  sometimes I can even pull off the "Look Ma, no hands!" move.

Mostly though, this gal just gets me to and fro' work, which literally takes me ten minutes door to door.  Best case scenario on the bus is 25 minutes, but it's usually more like 35.  And it's super crowded?  No thank you; I'll stick with the bike.

So not only was it an awesome surprise, but I think also an amazing marketing campaign when the bike shop on Q Street had a little stand on the corner of 14th that said 'Morning Coffee for Bike Commuters!'  I was not late, but not early either, so I didn't have time to stop for coffee (#WishIHadSeenThisYesterday), but how cool is that?  What a fun thing for two local businesses to do together for the clients they either serve or hope to serve!

Aside: This post made me realize that I should really name this bike.  How have I not done this yet...

Decisions, decisions...

Guys, guys, serious decision to make here...

These:

Orrrrrrr.....

These:

My goodness, it is awesome having a store credit from a returned Christmas gift from your boss.  Right?!?

OK, but for realz.  Which ones?  I want these to be my go-to work shoes for the next forever long, which make me lean towards the leopard print, but theeeennn I think the sea foam actually do work with pretty much everything too and that gold bow is so pretty.

So.....which ones?!

Feeling Pretty Bad A$$

Despite not being able to move my legs due to incredible soreness, I am feeling pretty legit right now.  Why, you ask?  Let me tell you.

1) Monday night instead of hitting the pavement to log some miles in preparation for The 13.1, I decided to do the Day 1 Fit Test for that Insanity workout thing.  Can I just say that that program seems like no joke, and I really want to get into it.  I am hoping to work this into The 13.1 training by doing this on the off running days and consider it my strength training, but it may get to be too much.  Maybe I just have to plan to do this after March 16th, we'll see.

2) Tuesday night was cold and wet and gross outside.  Dixie was giving me her usual "please don't make me go outside in this freezing rain just to do my business!," but I was all "Oh, we're going outside." And she was all "..."  And I was all "..."

Aside: It's these crazy moments that I think I am not supposed to live alone.

Anywhos, Dixie and I went on a not-so-fun-for-either-of-us walk, during which I seriously thought about bagging the two miles I was supposed to log today.  I thought, you know...I'll just run for four miles tomorrow at the office, inside on the comfort of a treadmill with a TV where it's not rainy and gross.  I also thought 'Two miles?  I can definitely do that, so no need to tonight when it's so nasty out.'  I could have gone on with the excuses, but I had done something knowing I would try to talk myself out of it.  I had already put on all my running gear.  Take it off without having worked out?  Seems lame.

So after our walk, I grabbed a rain jacket to throw on top of the fleece vest, started Map My Run, and got Pandora streaming "All of the Lights" by Kanye.  And you know what?  I went running!  At NIGHT.  In the COLD.  In the RAIN.  A year ago you would be hard pressed to find me checking the mail in the cold rain.  Today?  I ran!!

Nerd accomplishment that made me pretty freakin' proud of myself.  I must say, the looks I got while running were the looks I usually give others who run in the rain.  "Really?  Had to run today?  In the cold rain?"  But now I see that sometimes the answer to that obnoxious, sarcastic question is "Yes.  I had to."

Now I just need to warm the legs up enough to log today's 3 miles.

Woo!!